KEY POINTS
- Zimbabwe’s seamers Ngarava (3/17) and Muzarabani (3/16) destroyed Oman’s top order, skittling them for 103.
- All-rounder Brian Bennett anchored the chase with an unbeaten 48, guiding Zimbabwe to victory in just 13.3 overs.
- Veteran Brendan Taylor scored 31 before retiring hurt, casting a shadow over an otherwise clinical Zimbabwean win.
- The comprehensive 8-wicket win provides a major boost to Zimbabwe’s Net Run Rate in the Group B standings.
COLOMBO: Zimbabwe delivered a commanding performance on Monday at the Sinhalese Sports Club, dismantling Oman by eight wickets with a massive 39 balls to spare in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Group B encounter.
Oman’s batting collapse proves costly
Opting to bat first, Oman’s innings never found momentum against a disciplined and potent Zimbabwean bowling attack. The top order was decimated by the new-ball pair of Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava, who reduced Oman to a precarious 17 for 4 within the first four overs. Captain Jatinder Singh, Aamir Kaleem, Hammad Mirza, and Karan Sonavale all fell cheaply.
A minor recovery was staged by Sufyan Mehmood (25 off 39) and wicketkeeper Vinayak Shukla (28 off 21), who added 42 runs. However, once Shukla was caught behind off Ngarava, the innings floundered again. Ngarava (3/17) and Muzarabani (3/16) were the chief destroyers, well-supported by Brad Evans (3/18), who wrapped up the tail. Oman was bundled out for a meager 103 in 19.5 overs.
Zimbabwe pacers seize control to deliver their opening #T20WorldCup victory 💥
📝: https://t.co/EBoAzojr0W pic.twitter.com/VYuTjzk7xX
— ICC (@ICC) February 9, 2026
Zimbabwe chase with ease, Taylor injured
Zimbabwe’s chase began aggressively, with Brian Bennett unleashing a flurry of boundaries. Despite losing both openers, Tadiwanashe Marumani (21) and Dion Myers (0), in quick succession to spinner Sufyan Mehmood, the target was never in doubt.
ALSO READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Zimbabwe Pacers Skittle Oman for 103
Bennett anchored the innings with an unbeaten 48 off 36 balls, playing with calm authority. He found an able partner in veteran Brendan Taylor, who looked in good touch, scoring 31 from 30 deliveries. The pair added 68 runs before Taylor was forced to retire hurt in the 13th over, bringing a moment of concern for the Zimbabwean camp.
Skipper Sikandar Raza (5*) joined Bennett and promptly struck the winning boundary, sealing victory at 106 for 2 in just 13.3 overs. The comprehensive nature of the win provides a significant boost to Zimbabwe’s Net Run Rate.
Blessing Muzarabani was at his fiery best in Colombo and won the @aramco POTM award🙌#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/hrPCJwZ7ax
— ICC (@ICC) February 9, 2026
Post-match reactions
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza praised his team’s intensity: “From the first ball, the bowlers set the tone. To bowl a side out for 103 in a World Cup game is fantastic. The batting was clinical, though we hope Brendan’s injury isn’t serious.”
Brief Scores: Oman 103 all out in 19.5 overs (Vinayak Shukla 28, Sufyan Mehmood 25; Richard Ngarava 3/17, Blessing Muzarabani 3/16, Brad Evans 3/18) lost to Zimbabwe 106/2 in 13.3 overs (Brian Bennett 48*, Brendan Taylor 31 ret. hurt; Sufyan Mehmood 2/12) by 8 wickets.
